Aser Ones, MSW, is on staff at JFS and is the only mental health professional at Caridad. During his four days on-site, he is responsible for all assessments, crisis intervention, educating volunteers and Caridad's staff about mental health issues and how to identify them in patients they serve and maintaining a steady caseload for therapy. Caridad has traditionally provided free medical and dental care but it had become evident that there was a critical gap in services to address mental health issues.

"I am in the ER of mental health," Ones stated.  "My clients have little or no resources and come from 20 different countries.  They are afraid to reach out to any other agency for help."

Ones who is bilingual, averages 5-6 patients per day.  Last year he handled 641 office visits helping 173 adults and 8 children. 



Laura Kallus, Executive Director of Caridad Center addressed the importance of Caridad patients having access to mental health services. "Most patients are one small step away from disaster.  They are so stressed and depressed that symptoms manifest themselves physically through medical issues.  When a patient's mental health improves, their health outcomes tend to follow suit. We are grateful for the partnership we have with JFS and HOT because without it, our patients would not be getting the mental health treatment they so desperately need."
 
"Bringing JFS and Caridad together to work in tandem fulfills HOT's mission of both supporting essential life sustaining programs and collaborating with agencies that dedicate themselves to helping others," stated.  Ronald L. Gallatin, Chairman and CEO of HOT.  "It is just as critical to have a mental health counselor available as it is for client's to have access to medical and dental professionals."

"We are proud to be able to partner with Caridad Center," said Danielle N. Hartman, President and CEO of JFS.  "Through the generosity of HOT, we at JFS are able to extend our reach into the community, providing help, hope and humanity to Caridad patients.  

The results of this partnership have been remarkable.  Clients who have who have been unsuccessful in medically treating panic attacks and headaches, stated that they have disappeared after therapy sessions.  Clients have reported back to Ones that "they are now able to get through an 8 hour workday without stress induced fainting, or have been able to have relations with their spouses after not being able to due to unresolved issues of childhood rape."

Project S.A.R.A.H. (Stop Abusive Relationships At Home) is a program that works to overcome cultural, legal and religious barriers confronting victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Project S.A.R.A.H proudly serves the statewide New Jersey Orthodox Jewish community.



Every survivor of child sexual abuse has a story. Most are untold. On March 22nd, in front of a large Los Angeles crowd, Sima Yarmush publicly told her story. For the first time. LIsten to it here.